Lighting the way and setting her own style
Louise Noel-Ambrose finds meaning in work that helps promote the black community and black culture
There was a time when Louise NoelAmbrose would get up in the morning, pour herself into a button-down shirt, suit jacket and pencil skirt, and head off to her corporate job in the hospitality industry.
Dark suits were the norm back then, she recalls. But even when her job as an events co-ordinator for major hotel chains Crown Plaza and Novotel required her to conform to a specific look, she found a way to express her sense of style.
“I got things that complemented the outfit,” says Noel-Ambrose, 44, of the scarves and Bollywood-inspired jewelry and accessories she added to bring some flair to her suits.
But things have come full circle for Noel-Ambrose, who started her career working for now-defunct New World Focus and Canadian Voices — publications that worked to promote voices in Hamilton’s black and multicultural communities. As a freelance events co-ordinator and community outreach expert, Noel-Ambrose is once again focused on projects that unite the community, raise awareness and teach, inspire and empower. Plus, as a bonus, these days she sets her own pace and dress code.
“One of my colleagues, a few years ago, said, ‘You’re the Oprah of Hamilton,’” laughs Noel-Ambrose, who gravitates toward loose, flowy dresses, often in Afro-centric prints, over straight black pants. “And so I said, you know what, I’m going to OWN it. Get it?”
So she created Lady Boss — a former networking event, now networking social media platform — an initiative that earned her a 2015 Women of Distinction Award. And it’s why she got involved with Illuminessence, an e-magazine “dedicated to showcasing exemplary Fem-Leaders and Guys Who Get It,” according to its website, and is celebrating its five-year anniversary at its Women Awards Gala tonight at Carmen’s Banquet Centre.
“I love the mandate of Illuminessence,” says Noel-Ambrose, who learned the value of advocacy and community outreach at a young age from her grandparents. “I understand the importance of recognizing fem-leaders who have contributed immensely to shaping the social, cultural and economic fabric of soci-
ety, thus I wanted to support the initiative.”
But more than that, Noel-Ambrose finds meaning in work that helps promote the black community and black culture.
“It is necessary because we, as a community — and I will say community, not the black community — living in Hamilton, it has to be done. Actually, worldwide it has to be done. I have children. So by the time they get to my age, the world has to be much better than it is right now.”
Here she wears one of her trademark long, flowy dresses, this one in paisley pattern reminiscent of a henna tattoo — a gift from her Auntie Bern — over straight black pants with black ballet flats. She accessorizes with a faux reptile clutch, drop earrings and a pendant necklace; the latter two are gifts from the same auntie. Her Paris-themed watch reminds her of the trip to the City of Light that she won for being employee of the year at Novotel, back in the day. And her head wrap, a gift from a friend from Somalia, was worn to meet Nelson Mandela’s grandson Ndaba when he visited Toronto and Hamilton two years ago.
Most eye catching piece:
The piece is from Uganda — it’s a set of beads that is made by women and it’s to help raise funds for ... a (children’s) singing group. I met them a couple of years ago at the Church of God … and that’s where I purchased it. But every time I wear it I get compliments … the pinks, the blues, it’s a happy piece … it’s like a (multi-strand) choker (in) all the colours of the rainbow. So, depending on where I’m going, depending on the event, I wear that, because that’s an ice breaker.
Quirkiest wardrobe item:
The only item I can think about Head wraps are also a trademark look for Louise Noel-Ambrose. The one she wears here, a gift from a friend from Somalia, was also worn to meet Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Ndaba, when he visited Toronto and Hamilton two summers ago. was a beautiful ‘loud pink’ sexy dress I had bought and wore only on Saturday nights — at least once a month — while I played my favourite calypso and reggae songs …
Wardrobe must have:
Black pants. Like the ones that I’m wearing, definitely. Because with that, you can begin an outfit. Black pants and black dress shoes.
Best purchase:
My wedding dress. Because of the price that I paid for it — it was $50. I got married in 2006 … (to Roger Ambrose). Bollywood style with fuchsia roses there’s a (slit) opening on the left with a piece of fuchsia underneath (the white bodice style dress).
Regrets buying:
I’m not one where my eyes will go, ‘oh I need this,’ this and buy all sorts of things ... I’m a very reasonable shopper ... I was taught, when you spend money, make sure it’s something you’re going to wear and is there a value in buying this?
Loves to shop at:
I shop wherever I can get unique items at a very reasonable price. One place that I love to shop — and I’ve bought a few pieces from her — is the Artisan Market in the Hamilton